Best Hybrid Cars in the World

August 26, 2017

1 . Chevy Volt

The Chevy Volt won all kinds of big awards when it came out, and for good reason. The Volt has a good all electric range of 38 miles, or 61 kilometers, and it is getting even more with the 2016 refresh, 50 miles (80 kilometers). Focusing on the 2016 Volt since it is just around the corner, the price is just $33,995 before incentives ($26,495 after the US federal tax credit). It apparently takes the Volt about 9 seconds to get to 60 mph, but its all electric instant torque still impresses and thoroughly pleases most owners.

Before the Model S came along, the Volt, based on owner surveys conducted by Consumer Reports, was the most loved car in America for two years running. It is the 4th best selling electric car on the US market so far this year (behind the all electric Tesla Model S, Nissan LEAF, and BMW i3) despite the fact that a much better version is coming out later this year. If you re looking for an affordable plug in hybrid car, I think you ve got to consider the Volt it s the best around from what I ve heard, read, and seen.

2 . Mitsubishi Outlander Plug In

The Mitsubishi Outlander Plug In is the best selling electric car of any kind in Europe so far this year (even ahead of the Nissan LEAF and Tesla Model S). It is a crossover/SUV that has served the niche well while waiting for its first competitor to hit the market. The Outlander Plug In also sells very well in its home country of Japan, and North Americans are simply wondering when they will finally get to taste the vehicle.

The spacious vehicle seats 5 comfortably, comes with 30 miles (48 kilometers) of electric driving range (based on European testing, so probably under 20 in the real world), and is stylish. It s no speed demon, clocking in at around 11 seconds when going from 0 to 60 mph (100 km/h), but that s not what most people are looking for when they buy a crossover/SUV. At ?33,249 (before the UK s ?5,000 plug in car grant) or ~$50,850, the Outlander Plug In isn t cheap, but it s a lot of car for the money.

3 . Audi A3 e tron and Volkswagen Golf GTE

The Audi A3 e tron and Volkswagen Golf GTE tie on this list of best hybrid cars because they are built on the same platform. So, what s left is really just a very subjective matter of styling and brand. The cars get 31 miles of electric range on a full battery, which is decent but not great? (although, that s a rating from Europe, which means the real world range is much lower estimated to be around 18 miles).

The cars can get up to 60 mph (100 km/h) in just 4.9 seconds, which is pretty dern attractive at a price point of approximately $40,000 before any incentives. Despite the sporty focus, they are quite practical cars and seat 5. Unfortunately, these cars are only available in Europe at the moment.

4 . Ford Fusion Energi

By the way, the Ford Fusion Energy is the 5th best selling electric car on the US market so far this year, and that s one of the reasons why it also falls 5th on this list. The Fusion Energi is a couple thousand dollars more expensive than the C Max Energi, at $33,900 ($29,893 after the US federal tax credit), but it seems to be worth that extra cash. Basically, it offers a bit more space and comfort than the C Max Energi, but I think it also looks much better. Otherwise, however, the specs are the same: 21 miles of electric range, 100 MPGe on electricity and 43 MPG on gas, and 5 seats.

5 . Ford C Max Energi

The Ford C Max Energi is a solid buy for just $31,770 before incentives ($27,763 after the US federal tax credit). It seats 5, has 21 miles (34 kilometers) of electric range, and has a fuel economy of 100 MPGe on electricity and 43 MPG on gas. If you feel like you need the crutch of a gasoline engine and you don t want to spend over $30,000 on your car, there are probably only a couple of better options on the market, and I think that s why it is the 6th best selling electric car on the US market so far this year.

6 . Volvo V60 Plug In Hybrid

Initially, I had this car much higher up the list, but I eventually dropped it down to #7 because of its rather high price. At about $62,000 (a current exchange rates and based on the UK price of ?40,558), it s really not in the range of many people, and why not spend a little extra and just get a Tesla Model S?

Still, the Volvo V60 Plug In Hybrid has received a lot of praise. It is luxurious, gets from 0 to 60 mph (100 km/h) in under 6 seconds, has 5 seats and good amount of space, and has 31 miles (50 kilometers) of electric range (based on European testing). You could do much worse for $62,000!

7 . Cadillac ELR

It was quite hard to determine where to place the Cadillac ELR. At a rather high base price of $75,000, and a very modest 0?60 time of 7.8 seconds, it s actually hard to justify the ELR being on the list. On the other hand, there are some great deals out there on the ELR, the car is eligible for the full $7,500 US federal tax credit, the car comes with a huge helping of luxury, and its 37 miles of all electric driving is really not too shabby. Also, for those who are into the style, it passes as the hottest looking cars on the market. The ELR hasn t seen huge sales, but I ve seen many happy reviews from owners, and I don t think anyone regretting the purchase.

8 . Porsche Cayenne S E Hybrid

The Porsche Cayenne S E Hybrid, a newer plug in car model from Porsche, slid in front of the Panamera S E Hybrid for a couple of reasons. One is that it comes in about $20,000 cheaper ($77,200, or $71,864 after the US federal tax credit for EVs). And the other is that it is a crossover, which is a design that seems to appeal to and is useful for a much larger segment of the market. The downside, compared to the Panamera S E Hybrid is that it just gets 14 miles (23 kilometers) of electric range on a full charge.

I m personally not that big on crossovers and SUVs, so take my viewpoint here with a grain of salt, but I actually think this is the best looking crossover or SUV on the market.

Despite its utilitarian focus, the Cayenne S E Hybrid can get to 60 mph (or 100 km/h) in just 5.4 seconds. I think you d still get a lot more for your money by going for the Tesla Model S (or reserving a Tesla Model X), but there s still a lot going for the Cayenne.

9 . Porsche Panamera S E Hybrid

Last year, it was reported that the Porsche Panamera S E Hybrid accounted for about 9% of all Porsche Panamera sales. This is with most buyers probably not even knowing that a plug in variant was on the market. The Panamera S E Hybrid was nearly disqualified from this competition, as it slides in at $96,100 ($91,348 after the US federal tax credit for EVs), but it is a pretty awesome car by many accounts, so if you have enough money for a P85D and a Panamera S E Hybrid, you may find it worth your cash.

The Panamera S E Hybrid gets to 60 mph (or 100 km/h) in about 5 seconds, seats 4, has an all electric range of 22 miles (35 kilometers), and has an average fuel economy? of 50 MPGe which makes it as efficient as a Toyota Prius for something like 3 times the fun. 22 miles is really not bad for a a plug in hybrid with such power, and it would get most people all the way to where they need to go on the smooth hum of an efficient electric motor.